Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona have been compared ever since the little magician first wowed fans at the Camp Nou in the mid-2000s.
And the comparisons have reached their peak as Messi, after claiming his first World Cup triumph, was paraded around the Lusail Stadium – like Maradona at the Azteca. Sergio Aguero hoisted Messi onto his shoulder as he took in a lap of honour with players surrounding him.
Images reminded fans of Maradona – who had produced almost identical scenes in 1986. Sunday was the first time since those iconic images, in Mexico, Argentina have stood on top of the world.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi makes decision on Argentina retirement after winning World Cup final
One fan tweeted: “Lionel Messi gets his World Cup trophy at last. A fairytale ending, ending it as the official heir to Diego Maradona!”
“God is Maradona and his son is Messi and Argentina are champions of the world,” a second added. And a third said, after seeing a video of Messi being paraded: “Maradona is that you? Messi getting the Maradona treatment. A fairytale ending!”
While a fourth added: “I’ll always be a Ronaldo fan. But this. This has cemented Messi as truly…the Greatest Of All Time. Maradona is smiling down on him right now.”
Is Lionel Messi the greatest of all time? Let us know in the comments section
(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
The comparison between Messi and Maradona wasn’t just limited to the photo – and fans noticed Messi and Maradona’s penalties in their respective World Cup finals were suspiciously similar.
And, of course, others pointed to Maradona’s ‘goal of the century’ which bares a strange similarity to Messi running half the pitch against Getafe.
READ NEXT: